Ms Florence Yeboah Asuamah, Principal Public Affairs Officer of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), has urged industrialists to invest in the by-products of cocoa since almost all the parts of the plant could be developed into various products.
She said CRIG has been looking for investors to take over its research findings for the commercial production of cocoa by-products without much success and appealed to entrepreneurs to consider that area since it could generate a good income and also employment.
Ms Asuamah disclosed this to delegates to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference, currently going on in the country, during a tour dubbed the 'Cocoa Trail', organised by the CRIG on Saturday, as part of activities marking World Tourism day in Ghana.
Among the delegates were members of the international travel writers and media personnel.
Ms Asuamah said as a way of publicizing the research findings, CRIG had participated in many trade and investment fairs in and outside the country to exhibit their findings and canvass for investors.
She explained that the research findings for the development of the cocoa by-products, was funded by international donors of the institute and the agreement does not mandate CRIG to enter into commercial production of the by-products.
To keep the products on the market, CRIG has been manufacturing cocoa by-products like cocoa wine, cocoa gin, cocoa brandy, cocoa butter, cocoa soap, cocoa cream and others on a small scale basis for sale.
The tour took the conference delegates to the first cocoa farm established by Tetteh Quarshie in Mampong-Akuapem, then to the CRIG and Bunso Arboretum, where the visitors learnt more about the cocoa plant, the processing of cocoa beans and plant conservation in Ghana.
The team latter visited the Okyenhene Palace at Kyebi and paid homage to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.